Improvement in pneumatic fountain-stamps



W. A. ROBERTS & M. E. GARY. Pneumatic Fountain-Stamp.

No. 201,048. Pate'nted March 5,1878.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM A. ROBERTS AND MASSENA E. GARY, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN PNEUMATIC FOUNTAIN-STAMPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 201,048, dated March 5, 1878; application filed January 24, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM A. ROBERTS and MASSENA E. GARY, both of Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Fountain- Stamps; and that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in whieh Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the improved stamp. Fig. 2 represents a central vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 represents a perspective view'of the inking-pad used in connection with the stamp.

Our invention relates to that class of handstamps in which an ink-reservoir, an inkingpad, and a reversing-stamp are combined in one instrument.

Our invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts constituting the frame and handle, by which the length of the instrument is reduced, the ink-reservoir rendered more accessible, the flow of ink controlled by an air-cock and in the peculiarlyconstructed inkin g-pad, and its introduction in the instrument or removal through an opening in the side of the machine, where it is held securely by flanges formed on the frame.

Our invention also consists in the inking-pad used in connection with the above-mentioned stamp, said pad being formed of layers of woven or fibrous material inclosed in a Woven silk covering perforated in its upper side, the edges of the layers being glued or cemented, and attached on one side to a metallic clamp projecting on the side of the stamp.

In the accompanying drawings, Arepresents a frame, preferably of metal, on top of which is attached a tubular ink-reservoir, B, over which a yoke, O, can slide. The yoke is provided with two straps, O, that are connected to the stamp-block D by trunnions or screws 01. These trunnions pass through vertical slots to in the frame, by which the stamp is guided in its reciprocations and allowed to revolve freely. A projection or cog, e, on the bottom of the stamp enters between the pins ff on the frame while the stamp is ascending or descending, and thus reverses the stamp at each stroke. It is forced down by pressing upon the handle E, and elevated by the spring g. This spring encircles the lower portion of the ink-reservoir and rests upon the top of the frame A, its upper end bearing against and within the top of the cylindrical extension (3 of the yoke, being thus retained without danger of escape while filling the reservoir, and thereby shortening the instrument.

To the top of the yoke-extension Ois screwed or fitted the hollow cylinder F, carrying the handle E, the screw 8 securely uniting the cylinder F to the yoke-extension, and also retaining the ink-reservoir and stamp in any desired position to change the name, date, or central types of said stamp. The top of the ink-reservoir B is closed by a screw-plug, 12, carrying a cock, b through which air is admitted in the reservoir when it is desired to let a supply of ink escape through the perforations b in the bottom of it to the ink-pad H. This inkpad is made of several thicknesses of woven material, such as canton-flannel, cut all of one size, with a covering of woven silk, all the edges of the layers being glued or cemented, and the upper half of the layers perforated in their center at h, so that when the pad is in position under the orifice of the reservoir the ink will be distributed laterally in every direction Within the pad, but cannot escape through the glued edges; and the silk cover forms a fine and smooth bearing for the face of the stamp.

One edge of the pad is preferably secured to a metal cap, k by means of projecting clasps or claws k inclosing or entering in one of the sides of the pad. It is inserted in the side of the frame A, as a drawer, in grooves 01?, formed on each side of the interior of said frame, and it can be removed when desired, without fear of soiling the fingers, by means of a knob, h, attached to the metal cap, the thickness of the pad being prepared before it is connected to the instrument, and its introduction from the side insures a smooth and uni form bearing for the stamp. Said stamp is formed of an electroplate, 01', carrying any desired name or design, screwed at the corners to the stampblock D, and removable types d can be used in the center for dates, &c., and secured to the stamp-block by the screw d.

The reservoir can be filled with ink by removing the cylinder F and screw-plug I) while a pad is in position, and the latter can be supplied With ink atany time by opening the cock b (the opening F being cut in the pipe F for that purpose) and using the stamp a few times, the motion producing the necessary flow of ink. The cock is then closed, the pad holding enough ink for several thousand impressions. The stamp covering the pad excludes the air and keeps both in condition for immediate use.

We are aware that an air-cock has been used in combination with fountain-pens and applied to their upper extremity, and we do not claim such a combination; neither do we claim a screw-pluglocated at the upper end of a handstamp reservoir, both being old devices.

Having now fully described our invention, we claim 1. In combination with the ink-reservoir of a reversing-stamp provided with an ink-pad, substantially as described, the air-cock b, located at the upper end of said reservoir, and inclosed in a tube, F, having an opening, F, through which it can be regulated from the side, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination with a reversing-stamp and ink-reservoir provided with an air-cock at its upper end, the yoke-elevating spring 9, coiled around the lower portion of the reservoir, supported by the frame A, and located under said yoke, substantially as shown, and for the purpose described.

3. In combination with a hand-stamp provided with an ink-reservoir, the ink-pad H, made of several thicknesses of Woven material, glued or cemented at the edges,perforated half through its center or ink-receiving opening, and connected at one side to a metallic clamp, by which it can be conveniently handled, substantially as described.

4. The combination of the frame A, the tubular reservoir inclosed in a spring located under the yoke, the air-cock I), located on top of the reservoir, the tube F, having an opening, F, through which the cock I) is regulated, and the ink-pad H, all constructed and arranged for joint operation as described.

WILLIAM A. ROBERTS. MASSENA E. GARY.

Witnesses S. I). GARY, .l. B. ELAM, E. E. MAssoN. 

